United, Crew to Represent MLS in First Ever CONCACAF "Giants Cup"

Feb 19, 2001

CHICAGO (Monday, February 19, 2001)
- MLS clubs D.C. United and the Columbus Crew have been selected to participate in the inaugural CONCACAF Giants Cup, which will involve 12 teams in competition that will stretch across March and April of 2001. The Giants Cup will be consist of a home-and-away series for the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds, with the semifinals and final to be played on April 27 and 29 respectively at a single venue to be determined. D.C. and Columbus have both received a bye into the quarterfinal round, which will take place during the weekends of April 3-5 and 10-12. While the criteria for the similar annual CONCACAF Champions Cup is success in domestic competiton, the clubs with the best attendance are eligible for entry into the Giants Cup in order to establish the involved teams as most popular among the competitors in their respective league. The MLS participants were chosen by evaluating the paid home attendance, paid road attendance and season ticket sales of the clubs.